Numerical Investigation of Indentation-Induced Residual Stresses and their Effect on J-Integral and Crack Propagation

Abstract This work presents an analysis of the effect of ball indentation on fatigue crack growth. The main objective is to assess the effectiveness of indentation, particularly its influence on the J-integral, as a fracture criterion governing fracture toughness. Using the finite element method in Abaqus 6.14, we analyzed the residual stresses induced by indentation at different positions along the predicted line of crack propagation and calculated the J-integral. The results highlight that indentation at the crack tip position significantly reduces the J-integral compared to non-indented structures, demonstrating its potential to extend the lifespan of cracked components by delaying crack propagation. The findings underscore the practical application of ball indentation as a viable technique to retard crack growth, contributing to the longevity of cracked components and, consequently, structural integrity. This analysis revealed a crack propagation retardation gain of up to 56%.